N3 adoption studies and map validation


Background

Nile 3 has developed a targeting tool that enables the identification of feasible locations for a broad range of rainwater management practices. A conceptual framework has been developed, and at this stage we need to define the final bundle of practices (strategies) that we will look at. In addition the maps as part of the tool need to be validated.

Objectives

  • Understand why some farmers don’t adopt a given practice though they are on feasible locations
  • Identify interventions needed
  • Validate feasibility maps

Proposed methodology

Feasibility maps have been prepared for the practices that are priorities for GIZ. Hotspots (locations where different practices occur in the same landscape) are identified, of which 5 study areas are selected (2 ARARI, 2 OARI and 1 EWHA). Three study sites should be suitable hotspots with low predicated adoption. Two study sites are suitable hotpots with predicted high adoption.
In these study sites, a combination of focus group and farm surveys will be done :
Survey method
Objective
  1. Transect walk
Get an overview form the area and report from adopted practices
  1. Focus group
Understanding drivers of adoption of strategies (combination of strategies), drivers of adoption of practice on communal land.
  1. Farm survey
Understanding drivers of adoption of single practices
  1. Focus group
Sharing and discussing results found

Transect walk

A first transect walk allows us to understand to what extent each practice has been adopted in the area. It is a first rough validation procedure for the map. The transect walk also allows us to get in touch with the community, introduce our work and pre-test the farm household survey.
The transect walk will be undertaken by our partners in collaboration with ILRI/IWMI, so that we also have an overview of the different study sites.

Focus group 1

This first focus group aims at understanding what strategy the community thinks is optimal and identifying factors of success and constraints to the implementation of the strategy. It also allows understanding drivers of adoption of communal practices (gully rehabilitation, area exclosure).
We envision starting our involvement with key informants in the community by playing the happy strategy game. We want to understand what would be the optimal water management strategies at the landscape scale from their perspective.
Based on the optimal strategy identified, we will discuss the difference between the preferred strategy and the real landscape. If preferred and actual landscapes match, enabling factors should be identified, as well as the current contribution of the landscape to ecosystem services. If the preferred and actual landscape do not match, then drivers constraining adoption along with possible interventions will be identified. Expected impacts on various ecosystem services (from the key informants ‘perspective) will also be identified.

Farm household survey

The farm household survey aims at identifying drivers of adoption, non-adoption and dis-adoption of single practices. This will provide a multi-scale analysis of the adoption of landscape strategies.
The farm household survey should include the classical adoption variables (farm household characteristics, farm characteristics, adoption, dis-adoption and non-adoption of the practices). It should be relatively open in terms of the practices we look at. In addition, the survey can include some questions about possible impact on livelihoods and hydrology.
We envision stratifying every study area into up-land, mid-land and low-land based on the suitability map. We will interview 10 farmers in each zone. This will result in 30 interviews in each zone and 150 overall.
These surveys will be developed in collaboration with our partners and data collection will be implemented by the partners. We propose to have a questionnaire writing workshop, including training on methodologies, the use of GPS, and how to train enumerators. Data collected will be entered by the partners. Descriptive statistics, basic maps and analysis can be undertaken by our partners in collaboration with IWMI.

Focus group 2

Focus group 2 aims at sharing results back to the community and discussing if they agree with the results and what we can learn from them.
This can be done by our partners supported by us if needed.

Timeline

What
When
Who
-preliminary concept for the focus group discussion and farm survey
Before 21 of march
Catherine /Gebre
Partner meeting
- selecting study sites and define dates for transect walk
- develop the focus group (who to invite, split into groups)
- happy strategy game play
- Trainers for enumerator trainer with GPS use (?)
21 March-22 March
Catherine Gebre
-translating happy strategy in local language
Mid of april
Fethia for Amharic
Oromifa ?
- agree on a final household survey
Mid of April
All
- Transect walk
Beginning - mid april
Partners with Gebre or Catherine and Fethia
- focus group 1 (happy strategy)
Mid- end of april
Partners with Gebre or Catherine and Fethia
- Farm household survey
April –may
partners
-data entry
May-June
Partners with support from us if needed
- Data analysis and recommendation
July - August
Catherie and Gebre
-focus group 2 (reporting back to the community)
September-October
Partner


Link to the preliminary feasibility maps

find some information on the new study sites under :
http://catherinepfeifer.blogspot.com/2012/05/understanding-landscape-dynamics-zefie.html
http://catherinepfeifer.blogspot.com/search/label/N3%20field%20report%20series